Media & Events » News
Home of Hope Raises $85,000 for Orphanage Projects
By SARMISHTA RAMESH
Special to India-West
SAN JOSE, Calif. --All eyes were glued to the giant screen, as it beamed the images of orphan and destitute children spending their lives in various orphanages and shelter homes in India and understanding how their lives had been touched and the children given a ray of hope and a reason to survive by the work of a California based non-profit, Home of Hope, Inc. (HOH).
Moved by the presentation, Vijay Kaushik, one of the attendees at the fundraiser said, "This is wonderful." Pradeep and Marie Thayamballi have been involved with the organization for two years now doing their own bit by contributing to the cause. Pradeep speaking to India Post commended the organization's vision and was optimistic saying, "I am sure we should be able to help more children in the next year."
At the 6th Annual Home of Hope fundraiser held at the Scottish Rite Center in San Jose on October 2, Dr. Neelima Sabharwal, President of the grassroots organization recalled how her life had been completely transformed when she held the hand of the first orphan in Children's Home of Hope, Chennai, 5 years ago. Spurred by the need to change the lives of these abandoned and orphaned children, Dr. Sabharwal established the Home of Hope Foundation. The foundation works by partnering with foster homes in India providing them with the necessary funds to start various programs in order to make these children self-sufficient. "A higher power connected me to these children and enabled me to create Home of Hope," said Dr. Sabharwal in an emotional appeal to the attendees as she mustered enough support from them.
Sabharwal who makes annual trips to India to visit these orphanages speaking to India Post said, "I am humbled by the experience." Adding to that the staff pathologist with Kaiser Santa Teresa in San Jose says, "It is very gratifying to see the little results that we have been able to achieve." Anil Lal, VP/Treasurer and the emcee for the evening lauded the attendees at the fundraiser stressing that was the first step in joining the HOH, Inc. family. He also pointed out that the children that Home of Hope strives to help are referred to as our children, showing the care and commitment accorded to these individuals.
Home Of Hope is today supporting 10 projects all over India from Chennai to Amritsar helping about 1102 children. In her address, Saturday night, Dr. Sabharwal quoted various projects that Home Of Hope is working along with, helping 15 girls in Chennai to pursue their dream of a higher education to the Manovikas Charitable Society in Delhi which works closely with mentally challenged children. HOH has been instrumental in introducing a speech therapy program in Manovikas, Delhi. This program has generated enough interest among the Government of India officials announced Shilpi Minocha, Project Coordinator for the Manovikas project, adding that they are looking into it as a pilot project for duplicating its success in other parts of the country. Dr. Sabharwal spoke highly of the drive among the abandoned children in Pingalwara Welfare Society, Amritsar who till just a few years ago struggled to fight their hunger pangs to today when they are learning computer skills.
She appealed to the attendees to generously donate to make a difference in the lives of these children to reap rich returns.
Another unique aspect of the organizations working is its total transparency in its operations. As was visible for this correspondent to see, every table at the fundraiser had a detailed accounts statement and a copy of the tax returns. Reinforcing the transparent working of the organization was Anoop Judge; attorney HOH, Inc. who in her talk detailed the operational details, explaining how the funds are disbursed so that it reaches the right hands.
Home of Hope collected over $85,000 (net) owing to generous donations from some big corporate sponsors and other individual contributions. This year's corporate sponsors contributed to about 37,000. Apart from the annual fundraiser, HOH, Inc. organized a Walkathon recently, collecting over $18,000. For more information log onto www.hohinc.org or call Dr. Neelima Sabharwal at 650-520-3204.
